Figure 2

Experiment module BIM-2. A. “Mix Unit” flight hardware cassette used for the experiment on the sounding rocket MASER-12. As depicted in the schematic illustration one hardware cassette hosts two experimental units. One experimental unit contains three chambers made of a flexible membrane: one main chamber for cell suspension and two storage chambers, one being the activator solution and one for the fixative. Releasing the tension from the springs beneath the activator and the fixative chamber pushes the solutions into the main chamber (also called reaction chamber) via little tubes in the lid. The picture was kindly provided by CCM, Nuenen, Netherlands. B. Picture of one hardware cassette. The picture was kindly provided by CCM, Nuenen, Netherlands. C. Late Access Unit (LAU). The main components of the LAU are a reference centrifuge incorporated in the middle and two static racks (μg rack) along the edge. These two components carry the flight hardware cassettes containing cell suspensions and reaction solutions. D. Acceleration profile of MASER-12 during the launch. Almost 13 g were detected during MASER-12 launch. The picture was kindly provided by Swedish Space Corporation (SSC).